The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-08
FIDELITY HARPER'S TRIAL
THE GOVERNMENTS TESTIMONY RE-
SUMED YESTERDAY.
Howard Eckert Identifies a Number OF
Big Checks-Maurice Rosenfeld on
the Stand-The Expert Testimony
the Sensation.

trial did not reach the close OF the govern
ment's testimony today, as was expected,
but the same curious crowds gathered in
all available places during the entire day.
Howard Eckert, among other things, was
asked to identify certain checks OF his firm,
which he did as follows:
Hamill q Brin, $25O,OOO; Wright & Co.,
$76,5OO Poole & Sherman, $40, 500; Mar
land & Co., $50, 900; Crosby & Co., $40, 500;
Rosenfcld & Co., SSSlOOO; Kershaw &
Co., $3.50, 900; Fleming X Boydon, $50, 900;
making in all 81, Az, 900.
Maurice Rosenield, OF Chicago, formerly
. grain commission merchant, testified
that he had dealings with Wiltshire, Eckcrt
& Co. He recognized the account current
with them for the purchase OF about
5000 bushels OF wheat. His house re-
ceived $3.50, 800 in money.
The sensation OF the day was the tes-
timony of Frank Nj. Hayes, the expert
who had been sent here by the govern
ment 10 assist in the prosecution OF the
case. lie is nervous looking Young
man, with fierce mustache, short cropped
hair, piercing eyes and large mouth.
lilo said in answer to questions that
he was an expert accountant; that
he had had about ten years expert
ence in banks, and had filed all positions
20 assisting cashier. lie had also
been familiar with brokerage bust
ness by a two years connection with
firm in Pittsburgwhose business reached
into the millions. lie had examined for
the government the books OF the Penn
National bank, of Pittsburg, where some
millions of dollars were involved He had
made careful examination Of the books
OF the Fidelity National bank, OF the First
National bank of New York and Of the
Chemical National bank, so far rs they re-
late TO dealings with Harper and the III
deity bank. lie had also examined the
accounts OF Irwin, Greene X Co. and G..
j. Kershaw q Co. with reference 10 thoiI
dealings with Harper and the Fidelity Ma.
tiona bank. He began by saying that lac
found charge tickets nj the Fidelity one
Of 500, 900, a credit TO T.. l.. Harper, and
charge against the Fint National bank
OF New York, and another OF the same
kind, and third for 100000. Then on
March II there was one crcditing Harper
with 500 and charging the Chemical Ma
tional bank, of New York, with the same
amount. From his examination of th,
books OF the First National bank he found
there was no such credits or charges and
no money subject to the draft OF the
Fidelity bank. In the case OF In,
Chemical National bank the Fidclit,
bank had credit there by reason OF a Ger
tiiicatc Of deposit forwarded TO them, but
that certificate was not entered on the
books of the Fidelity bank. The First Ma
tonal had two accounts with the Fidelity
OncOf them showed credits TO the Fidelity
the other oyerdTaiis. BY reference 10 boil
II appears that the Fidelity really had (,
its credit March /, 1887, but 5000. On,
OF the accounts at that time showed
credit ol s2O9.OO0. the other showed over
drafts 10 the amount Of 500 600 On Apr
these two accounts were considered
when there was -, $50 TO the credit OF ia,
Fidelity on the books OF the First Nationa
bank OF New York. On April 80 there wa
10 the credit Of the Fidelity National banl
SiO0,OO0 on the books OF the First Nationa
OF New York, by reason Of two certificate
Of deposit for SeOO,0 each, but these Ger
tihcales Of deposit were not entered on tn
Fidelity books, aud there WAS nothing Of
their books 10 show this outstanding
indebtedness. Previous TO this tim
Harper was credited with 100000, an,
thus the books OF the two banks wen
made 20 agree. Turning then 10 th
Chemical National bank, Of New York, Ia
said their hooks showed that the Fidelit
had 4 credit Of 500, 600, marked loan, In
dicating that the Fidelity had borrowc,
that amount, but on the Fidelity book
there is nothing 10 indicate loan. In
stead, n certificate Of deposit for 5000
Is issued and the stub Is marked Cancelled
Mr.. Hayes then traced from day 10 da
how Ilarpcr's credits had been eXhausie
by drafts, etc, that all went Ia persons In
tercslel In the wheat deal. The shown
was minute and in detail, aud he iollowe
out the entire SSO0,0OO in this way. show
ing that oi this sum There remained 90 hi
credit on March IL hut Si5,g2l 20. II,
curing Ia the Finst National, he said tina
the draft record showed draft by the Z
delily ON the Fint National for SlOO, 90,
The Fint National never paid that dmf
but Mr.. lIarpcr's account In the Fidclit
h charged. April ~, with SlO0,OOO, an
this made the looks agree. The witne,
also stated that two drafts, drawn April 9
and 20, Tor sl00,O 900 each, were not cntcro
on the Fidelity books until June rs, a
though one Of them was paid in New Yor
May
Mr.. Hayes then took up the accounts {
Irving, Greene 4 Co., aud stated that III
Fidclity's books did not show any sue
credits 10 their account rs the letters
advice sent them indicated. Irwin, Greer
& Co. credited Hloyt with $4,000; a
this, except -, 903 30, was drawn out I
IIarpers checks. There was no entry
letters Of credit 10 Hoyt, amounting
s2S5, 900. until June 10 10 Is.
G. J. kenshaw 4 Go. were advised I
four letters OF credit that lIoyt had depo
tied 30 their credit $4,000. kcrshaw
Co.'S books credit Harper with ioI
amounts, $4,000 each, corresponding
date 10 the letters OF credit.
The witness also told of q transfer
credits 10 the American Exchange ban
amounting 10 Sl03, 900. This correspond,
10 a check by Harper for $1,000 l
went on 20 show from the books that all
this 500, 900 was absorbed In the who
deal. There was really but s76l ~ act
ally put 10 the credit Of kerhaw & Go.
the Fidelity bank.
While this witness vas laying bare,
reference 10 Ilarpcrs own books, all the
startling irregularities, his attorneys rails
buta single objection 10 the form Of the G
animation, and made no effort whatever
Obscure the light being thrown
their clients transactions, while Ilafp
amused himself by chatting and laughi
with his wife and her sisier,S by wfii
notes aud passing 10 friends seated With
reach. This witness had not ended
a. IL. A